What you're up against
- Aluminium prices climbed 11% in the first half of 2026 (LME data) — your spreadsheet costing model is now wrong on every open quote.
- EU labour shortages mean you're running 2 people short most weeks. Anything that needs re-typing is a bottleneck.
- Your best estimator carries the entire pricing knowledge in their head. When they're sick, the shop stops quoting.


